Carbon reuseable?

jd@ga · 09-20-2006, 12:07 PM

I was just thinking about all the carbon I use on or in my tanks. I use a good bit. I was just wondering has anyone heard of reusing carbon? I know some filter media can be revived by the use of baking and /or salt soaking. Has anyone ever tried any thing like this or even heard of this? Just tring to find a way to stretch a buck. Thanks for any comments!

Jay · 09-20-2006, 01:00 PM

IME it is not reusable.

I haven't used it in years, I am curious, why do you use so much?

Jay

jd@ga · 09-20-2006, 02:01 PM

okay here goes... 20 gal turtle tank 2 internal filters that uses carbon like mad (smell), 37 gal goldfish tank 2 hot filters and canisterfilter, 30gal sw/ rt 1 canister and I use a reactor on it sometimes w/differ media though , 47gal cichlidtank hotfilter and canister, 10gal cylinder betta tank w/ internal filter , 2 1/2 gal f/w hotfilter, 2 1/2 gal f/w betta tank hotfilter.

jd@ga · 09-21-2006, 12:52 AM

I use alot of carbon and hey if anyone knows how to revive it that would save me and probabley a few others a bunch of money.

Jay · 09-21-2006, 07:09 AM

It is generally accepted that activated charcoal, because of its manufacturing process, and ion bonding capacity, cannot be satisfactorily "re charged"

Are you operating under the assumption that charcoal is a required component of filtering systems?

I can see that the turtle tank may need charcoal for the smell, however' evil odor is either bacterial or toxic compounds or both. This would say to me there is a "sanitation issue" here, perhaps more frequent water changes would be a better and cheaper way to deal with it.

I do not see why charcoal is necessary in large quantities or constant use in the other tanks and filters.

Regards,
Jay

jd@ga · 09-21-2006, 10:01 AM

I have always used carbon on my tanks forever because it works wonders, it removes toxic gases,organic pollutants,water discoloration ,foul odors and medication residues. With all these benifits why wouldn`t you use it in all your tanks? I use it when ever possible. I do my water changes on a strict schedule and do whatever I can to keep my tanks healthy. As far as the turtle tank , they already get a 100% water change twice a week . Any more and the stress would probably kill them. If I didn`t do the water changes (w/carbon) in the turtle tank I am sure I would have a sanitation issue. I guess I`m doing something right I have been breeding them for about 10yrs now. That said , is why I use so much carbon.

Jay · 09-21-2006, 02:20 PM

All righty then - guess I can't save you any money

Regards,
Jay

ahill3780 · 09-23-2006, 03:22 AM

Yeah I was going to say that turtle tanks, as far as I am aware, need frequent 100% water changes.

As far as the topic of the thread goes, No, you can't reuse spent carbon in the aquarium.

Now as far as fish tanks go, AC is not a necessity in most well kept tanks. Proper cycling, routine water changes, and good husbandry practices will keep the tank in good enough condition that you don't need it. Every once in a while its a good idea to run a carbon filter to help with a little polishing if needed but its not really something that needs to be run every day.

Pungent odor in tanks usually stem from poor water movement coupled with elevated TDS and urea IME. Changing the water and adding more current usually correct the problem fairly quickly. This will help in removing toxic gases, dissolved organic material, water discoloration, and the foul odors. Keeping medications out of the main tank and in a seperate dedicated treatment tank will eleminate the need to filter out meds using the AC, which IMO does not help much in this arena.

So if a one time cost of a 10-20 gallon hospital tank, and ongoing routine water changes can serve the same end, why would you rather choose to continue investing in more and more AC?

IMO this all comes down to proper cycling in the end, or rather the lack of it.

HTH,
Aaron

jd@ga · 09-24-2006, 12:55 AM

Wow! So carbon isn`t rechargeable . thanks.

jd@ga · 02-26-2007, 02:13 PM

Wow ! Carbon is rechargeable At 1500 degrees. Looks like I`m gonna have to throw a couple of more logs on the fireplace! lol!